Fire extinguishing apparatus



y 1965 w. w. WEESE ETAL 3,183,927

FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 7, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2

INVENTORJ. WILFRED W. WEESE HARRY SWARTZ A TTORNEYS.

May 18, 19 w. w. WEESE ETAL FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 7, 1963 FIG. 4

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 III III "HUI I Illlllll II 'flllllll' l. I

lillililijilz'lllllliilllllilll j FIG. 5

A TTORNE Y3.

y 18, 1965 w. w. WEESE ETAL 3,183,927

FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS Filed 061;. '7, 196

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS. WILFRED W. WEESE HARRY SWAR'IZ FIG. 8

A TTORNEYJI y 13, 1955 w. w. WEESE ETAL 3,183,927

FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 7, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 9 FIG. IO

FIG I" FIG. l2

INVENTORS.

Q I 'WILFRED w. WEESE HARRY swAmz BY 5: and, Me (MAJ rut.

ATTORNEYS,

United States Patent 3,183,927 FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS Wilfred W. Weese, Flushing, and HarrySwartz, 105 E. 73rd St., New York, N.Y.; said Weese assignor to said Swartz Filed Oct. 7, 1963, Ser. No. 314,368

6 Qlairns. (Cl. 137-35519) This invention relates to fire extinguishing apparatus and more particularly to fire extinguishing apparatus including a storage receptacle adapted to be mounted flush in a surface and having a hose reel and a collapsible hose mounted therein.

Fire is an ever present danger in homes, ofiices, theatre lobbies .and the like and adequate precautions should be I observed to insure that some equipment is available to readily accessible locations without detracting from the surrounding decor.

It is another object of the invention to provide fire extinguishing apparatus including a storage receptacle which is adapted to be mounted flush in a floor or Wall.

It is a further object of. the invention to provide fire extinguishing apparatus including a storage receptacle having a hose reel mounted therein in a manner to be moved readily. to an-operative position from a storage position.

It is still another object of the invention to provide fire extinguishing apparatus having automatic control of the fiuid when the apparatus is placed into operation.

These and other objects of the invention may beaccomplished -according to one embodiment of the invention which includes a receptacle containing a hose reel and a collapsible hose mounted thereon. The receptacle is adapted to be mounted flush in a surface, such as a floor or wall. The cover of the receptacle is adapted to be covered with the same material as the surrounding surface. A hinge mechanism connects the cover to the receptacle in a manner so that the cover may first be moved outwardly from the receptacle to a position spaced from the surrounding surface and then pivoted to a fully open position. may abut the edges of the opening in the surface in which the receptacle is mounted thereby obviating the necessity for any appreciable space between the cover and the surrounding surface. v

The hose reel is pivotally mounted in the receptacle so that it may be'pivoted from a storage position within the receptacle to an operative position. In the operative position, most of the hose reel extends above the side walls of the receptacle to permit unreeling ofthe hose. The apparatus includes a control valve whi ch opens in response to the hose being removed from the hose 'reel to supply fluid thereto.

This embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which; I

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention mounted in a floor having a rug covering;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the receptacle with the cover in the open position, the floor being shown in broken lines; 1

FIG. 3 is a further side elevational view of the recep-l' tacle in position in the floor, shown in broken lines, with In this manner, the edges of the cover ice the cover open and the hose reel in its operative position;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the receptacle with the cover removed and the hose reel in storage position;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55 of FIG. 4 with the cover secured in the closed position;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 with the cover in the open position;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 with the hose guide rotated to an upright position;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 99 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on line 1(i-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a partial plan view of the hose reel; and

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken on line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

The fire extinguishing apparatus .10 comprises a receptacle 11 having a bottom wall and side walls. A cover 14 is mounted thereon for movement from a closed position to an open position. A recessed handle 15 may be provided to facilitate opening of the cover 14. The receptacle, as illustrated, is adapted to be mounted flush in a floor. The cover 14 preferably includes a surf-ace 16 formed of the same material as used to cover the floor. In the illustrated embodiment, the floor is covered with a rug, however, if the apparatus 10 were installed in a parquet floor or terrazzo floor, the surface 16 would correspond accordingly. The apparatus 10 may also be installed in'a wall and the cover 14 being painted to match the wall, covered with wall paper, or whatever is necessary to match the adjacent wall.

The cover 14 is connected to the receptacle 11 so that the edges of the cover, when in closed position, may abut the surrounding edges of the opening, thus no appreciable space occurs around the cover, as can be seen in FIG. 1.

The connecting mechanism, FIGS. 6-8, comprises a 'hinge 18 pivotally securing the cover 14 to a bracket 20 which is pivotally mounted in the receptacle 11. The bracket 26 is formed preferably in a U-shape and the hinge 18 is secured to the bight portion thereof. The legs 21 of the bracket 26 are supported for pivotal movement on studs 22 secured to opposite side Walls of the receptacle 11.

Upon initial opening movement of the cover .14, the bracket 20 will pivot in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 6 and 7 to move the hinge 18 to a position spaced outwardly from the sidewalls 13 of the receptacle 1'1 and spaced from the adjacent edges of the opening.

To facilitate pivotal movement of the bracket 20, resilient means, such as springs 25 are provided to urge the bracket normally in a clockwise direction. Each spring 25 is anchored to a sidewall of the receptacle 1-1 at 26 as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. The other ends of the springs 25 are connected to V-shape members 27 which are pivotally mounted on the studs 22. A pin 28 is connected to each V-shape rnember27 at the apex thereof, and extends into a small arcuate slot 30 in the respective leg 21 of the bracket 20. It will thus be understood that the springs 25.normally urge the bracket 2% in a clockwise pivotal movement about thestuds 22.

The movement of the bracket 20 is limited by pin 32 secured, to opposite sidewalls of the receptacle 11 which extend into elongated slots 34in the legs 21 of the bracket. Further opening movement of the cover 14 will pivot the cover about the axis of the hinge 18.

The cover 14 is maintained in its open position by a pair of braces 36 adjacent each side of the receptacle 12. Each brace 36 comprises a pair of links 38 and 40 pivotally connected together at 42. The links 38 are pivotally connected to tabs 44 secured to the cover 14 and the link 4d are pivotally secured to the studs 22. When the cover is in its fully open position, the braces 36 will maintain it in this position by movement of the pivots 42 slightly beyond the center line of the links 38 and til until shoulders 46 on the links 38 engage stops 48 on the links 4%. Springs 49 urge the shoulders 46 into engagement with the stops 48. The springs 49 extend between ears 50 on the links 38 and the links it).

Latches 52 secure the cover 14 in its closed position, as best shown in FIG. 5. The latches 52 are provided with detents 54 which engage the pins 28 on the V-shape members 27. The slots 3% in the bracket 2 permit movement of the pins 28 when engaged by the latches 52. The

springs 25 urge the pins 23 into the detents 54 to hold the cover securely in closed position.

Also, when the cover 14 is in its closed position, as shown in FIG. 5, the springs 49 are positioned so that they urge the links 38 and 40 of the braces 36 in a direction opposing opening movement of the cover 14. This provision assists in maintaining the cover is securely in its closed position. Since the apparatus 16 preferably is designed for mounting flush in a floor, it would be most undesirable if the cover 14 were partially open which could result in injury to someone tripping thereover.

It will thus be understood that the initial opening movement of the lid causes the latches 52 to be disengaged from the pins 28. The springs 25 will then urge the bracket 20 upwardly about its pivots 22. When the upward movement of the bracket 20 is stopped by the pins 32-, the hinge 18 will be moved sufl-lciently away from the adjacent sur face so that the cover 14 may be pivoted to its fully open 7 position without obstruction by the edges of the opening in which the receptacle 11 is mounted.

I The hose reel 58 with a collapsible hose 59 coiled thereon is adapted to be enclosed within the receptacle 11 in a storage position and, when the cover id is open, the hose reel may be swung through a substantially 90 angle to an operative position as shown in FIG. 3. The hose reel 58 is mounted for rotation on a housing es supported on a pair of tubular members 61 secured to a base member 62, FIG. 4, extending substantially the width of the receptacle. The base member 62 is supported at its one end on a pin 63 which is journaled rotatably in a bearing member 64. The base member 62 is provided with an elongated bore 66 opening to one end thereof and telescopically receiving a tube 68 for rotational movement relative thereto. The tnbe 68 is secured to a block 7d which forms an inlet for water or other fire extinguishing fluids.

When the cover 14 is in the open position, the hose reel 53 may be swung to an operative position about the axis of the base member 62, as shown in FIG. 3. A lock mechanism is provided to maintain the hose reel 58 firmly in the operative position. The lock mechanism includes an arm 72 connected to the pin 63 for movement therewith. The arm 7'2 is provided with a bracket 74 having a pin 76 secured thereto which extends into a slot 7 8 in a lever 89 pivotally connected to the stud 22. In this manner, when the hose reel 58 is swung to an operative position, FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, the pin 63 is rotated and swings the arm 72 therewith. The pin 76 will slide in the slot 73% until it reaches an offset portion 82 into which the pin extends, thus maintaining the hose reel 58 in the operative position. Suitable resilient means such as a spring 3i: is anchored to the bottom wall of the receptacle at 88 and is connected to the lever 80 to maintain the pin 76 firmly in the offset portion 82. The lever 80 must be raised manually to release the pin 76 from the oifset portion 82 before the hose reel 58 may be swung downwardly into storage position. A hose guide 84 may be secured to the free end of the arm 72, through which the hose 59 extends, to prevent the free end of the hose from becoming entangled in the mechanism.

' Water or other fire extinguishing fluid may be delivered to the apparatus from a suitable source not shown) to til the connector 99 which communicates with a bore 92 in the block 70. The fluid will thus be delivered to the bore 66 in the base member 62 through the tube es. The fluid flows from the base member 62 into an annular chamber 94 in housing 60 through the tubular members 61.

In this manner when the apparatus has been installed and connected to a source of water or other fluid under pressure, there will be a constant source of fluid available in the housing 64). v

Valve means are provided in the housing 65 to control the flow of the fluid to the hose 59.

The housing oil is provided with a cylindrical chamber 96 adjacent to and communicating with the annular chamber 94 through an opening 98 formed by a valve seat 16 9. A reciprocating valve 102 is positioned in the cylindrical chamber 96 and is adapted to close the opening 98. Suitable sealing means such as G-rings may be provided on the valve 192. A channel 1% extends circumferentially about the exterior of the housing 659 and communicates withthe cylindrical chamber 96 through a series of ports 10% extending through the wall of the housing 60.

The reel 58 includes a hub 11% to which the hose 59 is connected and is adapted to receive fluid from the housing and deliver the'fluid to the hose 59. The hub 116 is provided with a bore 112 extending from the interior surface thereof in communication with the channel 106 to a hose connector 114. During rotation of the reel the bore 112 is constantly in communication with the channel 106. In this manner, when the valve W2 is opened, fluid will flow from the annular chamber 94 into the cylindrical chamber 96, through the ports 10$ into the channel 106 and directed therefrom to the hose 59 through the bore 112.

The valve 102 is actuated automatically when the apparatus is placed into operation. It is of course obvious that it would not be desirable for the water to be turned on as soon as the hose reel 58 is placed in its operative position but preferably when a substantial length of the hose 59 has been unreeled from the hose reel. The automatic mechanism thereforeis actuated in response to a predetermined length of the hose 59 being unreeled from the hose reel 58.

The valve actuating mechanism includes an arm 12% which is pivotally connected at 122 to the housing 68. The arm 12d has a finger 124 on its free end normally positioned adjacent to the side of the hose reel 58. A link 126 is pivotally connected to the arm at its one end and to the valve 162 at its other end. A spring 128 is also connected to the valve 102 and anchored to the housing 60 to urge the valve to the open position. In the closed position, as shown in FIG. 9, the force of the spring 123 is opposed by the link 126 to maintain the valve 102 in closed position. The link 126 is formed so that after a slight pivotal movement of the arm 120 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGS. 9 and 12, the restraining force of the link 126 will be offset to permit the spring 128 to retract the valve 102 and to continue the pivotal movement of the arm 120 until it abuts the housing 69, as shown in FIG. 12.

Means responsive to the unreeling of thfi'hOSG 59 from the hose reel 58 is provided to pivot initially the arm 126 to open the valve 102. As best shown in FIG. 11, a C-shaped member 130 is pivotally connected to the hose reel 58 at 132. The member 130 is normally urged in a clockwise direction by a spring 134 which is anchored to the same side of the hose reel 58. At one end of the C- shaped member 130, a cam 136 projects laterally outwardly from the side wall of the hose reel 58. The other end of the member 130 is provided with a finger 138 which extends laterally inwardly of: the side wall of the hose reel 58 through a slot 140 to be disposed in the path of the hose 59.

When the hose 59 is wound on the hose reel 58 as shown in FIG. 10, the finger 138 is placed below the initial winding of the hose and the weight of the hose will hold the finger adjacent the hub 110. With the finger 13$ held in this position, the C-shaped member 130 would be rotated counterclockwise from the position shown in FIG. 11 so that the finger 138 would abut the opposite end of the slot 140. This would position the cam 136 radially outwardly from the hub 110 so that it would not engage the finger 124 on the arm 120 upon rotation of the hose reel 58. As the hose 59 is unwound from the hose reel 58 and the finger 138 is freed from beneath the windings of the hose, the spring 134 will urge the member 130 clockwise to the position shown in FIG. 11 and will position the cam 136 in the path of the finger 124 as the reel rotates. When the cam 136 engages the finger 124, as shown in FIG. 12, it will forcibly pivot the arm 120 counterclockwise and permit the valve 110 to open by the action of the spring 128. In this manner, the fluid is turned on automatically when the hose is unwound from the reel.

It will thus be understood that the invention provides a fire extinguishing apparatus which may be mounted in areas where it will be easily accessible yet not detrimental to the surrounding decor. Since the cover blends with the surrounding surface whether the apparatus is mounted in the floor or on a wall, there is no unsightly cabinet or fire extinguishing mechanism visible.

The novel hinge structure enables the receptacle to be positioned in close abutting relation with the edges of the opening in which the receptacle'is mounted and permit operation of the cover without interference from the surrounding surface.

When the apparatus is used, it is necessary only to pull the cover open, swing the hose reel to its operative position and pull the hose therefrom. There are no locks to release nor valves to turn on, since the fluid is turned on automatically.

Since the fluid is introduced through the pivotal mounting of the hose reel, there is no need for flexible connecting means between the source of fluid and the hose. The

novel mounting of the hose reel results in a compact fire extinguishing apparatus which is not subject to substantial wear or likely to develop leaks. There is no flexible connecting means in the apparatus to become entangled in the mechanism during use.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in a certain embodiment it is understood that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention as claimed.

We claim:

1. The combination of a receptacle, a collapsible hose, a hose reel pivotally mounted on said receptacle for hinged movement between a storage position enclosed in said receptacle and a position extending outwardly therefrom; said collapsible hose being spirally coiled in collapsed form on said reel; and means on said hose reel for delivering fluid to said hose in response to the unreeling of substantially all of said hose from said' reel.

2. The combination of a receptacle; a collapsible hose; a hose reel pivotally mounted in said receptacle for movement between a storage position enclosed in said receptacle and a position extending outwardly therefrom; a cover for said receptacle; hinge means pivotally supporting said cover; movable means connected to said receptacle, supporting said hinge means, and biasing said hinge means to a position spaced outwardly from said receptacle; and latch means for releasably securing said cover to said receptacle in flush relation to a surrounding surface.

3. The combination of a receptacle; a collapsible hose; a hose reel pivotally. mounted in said receptacle for move ment between a storage position enclosed in said receptacle and a position extending outwardly therefrom; a cover for said receptacle; a hinge pivotally supporting said cover; movable bracket means connected to said receptacle, supporting said hinge, and biasing said hinge to a position spaced outwardly from said receptacle to permit opening of said cover without obstruction by a surrounding surface; latch means for releasably securing said cover to said receptacle in flush relation to said surrounding surface; and means on said hose reel for controlling delivery of fluid to said hose in response to unreeling of said hose from said reel.

4. In combination, a receptacle mounted adjacent an opening in a surface, said receptacle comprising bottom walls and side Walls; a cover for said receptacle; means connecting said cover to said receptacle, said means comprising a rigid, generally U-shaped bracket having spaced, parallel leg portions pivotally secured to opposite side walls of said receptacle, and a hinge pivotally connecting said cover to an intermediate portion of said bracket extending between said leg portions; resilient means biasing said bracket in a direction to move said hinge and said cover, when unrestrained, to a position spaced outwardly from edges of said side walls of said receptacle, whereby said cover may be thereafter pivoted on said bracket without obstruction from said surface; latch means for releasably securing said cover to said receptacle within said surface opening in flush relation to said surface; and resilient means yieldably impeding initial pivotal movement of said cover relative to said bracket in a direction away from said receptacle.

5. The combination of a receptacle; a collapsible hose; a hose reel pivotally mounted in said receptacle for movement between a storage position enclosed therein and a position extending outwardly therefrom; a cover for said receptacle; means connecting said cover to said receptacle including a bracket pivotally secured to said receptacle and a hinge pivotally connecting said cover to said bracket; resilient means biasing said bracket in a direction to move said hinge and said cover, when unrestrained, to a position spaced from edges of the side walls of said receptacle; means pivotally supporting said hose reel in said receptacle, said hose reel supporting means including a cylindrical housing portion; said hose reel being rotatably mounted on said cylindrical housing portion; said housing portion having interior passage means to receive fluid under pressure; said cylindrical housing portion further having a channel extending circumferentially about its exterior and communicating with the interior passage thereof; said reel having a passage therein connected to said hose; said reel passage continuously communicating with said channel during rotation of said reel; a valve positioned in said cylindrical housing portion to control flow of fluid therethrough; and valve actuating means adapted to open said valve in response to unwinding of said hose from said reel. 1

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said valve actuating means includes a valve operator mounted on said cylindrical housing portion; a member mounted on said reel for movement from one position not engageable with said operator during rotation of said reel to a second position engageable with said operator during rotation of said reel; means for holding said reel mounted member in said one position until said hose has been substantially unwound from said reel; and biasing means on said reel for moving said reel mounted member, after said hose has been substantially unwound, to said second position; said operator, when engaged by said reel mounted member causing said valve to open.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS M.VCARY NELSON, Primary Examiner.

HENRY T. ,KLINKSIEK, Examiner. 

1. THE COMBINATION OF A RECEPTACLE, A COLLAPSIBLE HOSE, A HOSE REEL PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID RECEPTACLE FOR HINGED MOVEMENT BETWEEN A STORAGE POSITION ENCLOSED IN SAID RECEPTACLE AND A POSITION EXTENDING OUTWARDLY THEREFROM; SAID CALLAPSIBLE HOSE BEING SPIRALLY COILED IN COLLAPSED FORM ON SAID REEL; AND MEANS ON SAID HOSE REEL FOR DELIVERING FLUID TO SAID HOSE IN RESPONSE TO THE UNREELING OF SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF SAID HOSE FROM SAID REEL. 